by Paul McIndoeThe credit crunch and fuel prices have rarely been out of the news recently. When you combine this with the stark environmental warnings regarding CO2 emissions, it puts motorists under more pressure, both in terms of finance and conscience.
Clearly it's just not practical for everyone to use public transport on a daily basis, so when you have to use your own car or a work vehicle, there are a number of steps you can make to your driving style that can help the environment and your wallet at the same time.
Eco-friendly driving is a term that's been used more frequently in recent years. It covers a whole range of different aspects that are easy to implement into your daily journeys. The first of these is driving at a more even speed. Every day on the roads you'll see people in urban areas accelerating harshly only to be stopped in their tracks by a set of traffic lights around the corner or a vehicle that's obeying the limit. This rapid burst of speed of course means that they have to use their brakes more fiercely than normal too. Driving in this way only ever really achieves two things: wasting fuel and wearing down your car's controls.
Driving at a consistent and even speed whenever possible results in less CO2 being pumped into the atmosphere as well as preserving your fuel and brake components. By planning ahead and anticipating both the conditions and other road users, you can tailor your speed accordingly and also be in a position to brake more evenly and progressively rather than slamming them on at the last available moment.
There are other simple eco-friendly driving habits you can adopt, such as ensuring you're in the correct gear for your speed, changing into neutral when you've stopped at traffic lights - even switching off your engine if you're in a jam, and it's clear you won't be moving for a few minutes. Other things like driving with weight in the boot that you don't need to be carrying, poorly inflated tyres, and even having the radio on when you're not even listening to it will all increase your fuel consumption and the more you use, the more your emissions will be.
Another area where you can make a significant environmental impact is by switching fuels. Regardless of what fuel your vehicle uses just now, you can have it converted to use Liquefied Petroleum Gas or LPG and petrol. By using LPG you will cut down your emissions considerably and without affecting the performance and miles per gallon rate. Changing your vehicle to one with a smaller engine, can also help with emissions and put a smile on your face when buying road tax or getting a car insurance quote.
These are just some of the key areas where you can improve your driving, help the environment and save yourself money too. By implementing these small steps, you can bring about a lot of positive changes.
About the Author
Paul McIndoe writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
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